A special election Tuesday will decide whether to build new facilities for USD 257 schools. Here?s a primer on some of the key issues:
What?s on the ballot?
The big question is whether to build an elementary school for preschool through fifth-grade students, at a cost of $25.5 million. The school would consolidate Iola?s three existing elementary schools ? McKinley, Jefferson and Lincoln. Fifth grade classes would move out of Iola Middle School, freeing space at that building. The district?s preschool program likely would expand. Supporters say a new elementary school could save between $300,000 to $500,000 each year in improved efficiencies like lower utility costs, reduced maintenance and less duplication of services.
Voters also will decide two additional questions. The elementary school question must pass in order for the other questions to pass.
The second proposition calls for a new science and technology building at the Iola High School campus, for $7 million. The building would offer science, engineering, family and consumer education classes and more for both high school and middle school students. It also would include a cafeteria with commons area, and would serve as a storm shelter for all high school and middle school students and staff.
The third proposition would replace aging heating, ventilation and cooling systems, and the hot water system at Iola Middle School for $2.8 million. Those units are well past their life expectancies. Students and staff at the middle school complain about uneven temperatures throughout the building.
How much will it cost taxpayers?
The owner of a $70,000 house can expect to pay about $10.48 more in property taxes each month just for the elementary school. If all three issues are approved, the increase will be about $14.57 a month.
The total cost of the projects, if all three were to pass, is $35.3 million. But local taxpayers would be responsible for just 65 percent of those costs, or about $22.945 million. That?s because the state will pay 35 percent of the costs. It?s part of a state effort to make it easier for poorer districts to build new facilities when local voters determine a need.
Those opposed to the school bond proposals often cite costs as a primary reason. Allen County, like Southeast Kansas in general, suffers from an aging and decreasing population. The county has some of the highest rates of poverty and poor health in the state. Some worry the additional taxes will place an unfair burden on business owners and farmers.
Property owners can estimate how much a new elementary school might cost, using their most recent property tax statement. Find the ?assessed valuation? and multiply it by .01562. That would be the additional cost in taxes for a year. Divide by 12 to get the monthly cost. To find out how much you?ll pay for a new science and technology center (Question 2), multiply your assessed valuation by .00434. For the HVAC system (Question 3), multiply by .00176.
Add those results to see what it would cost if all three questions are approved.
